Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA EY 09 001
Apply for RFA EY 09 001
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Patient Outreach Programs and Ocular Screening Technologies to Improve Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy (SBIR R43/R44)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.867 Vision Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 9, 2008 and posted on Dec 9, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 23, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The funding opportunity titled "Innovative Patient Outreach Programs and Ocular Screening Technologies to Improve Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy (SBIR R43/R44)" is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) solicitation focused on improving how diabetic retinopathy (DR) is detected, largely by addressing two persistent gaps: low public awareness of the vision-threatening consequences of diabetes and limited access to timely eye examinations. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of preventable blindness, yet many people with diabetes do not receive recommended eye screenings. This FOA is aimed at small businesses that can create practical, scalable solutions that either motivate more patients to seek screening or make screening easier to obtain, especially for populations that are currently under-screened.
The purpose is explicitly two-pronged. First, the FOA seeks the development of educational and patient outreach programs that increase awareness of the blinding consequences of diabetes. This includes ideas that can change patient knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors around routine eye care, especially encouraging regular screening before symptoms appear. Outreach efforts could involve culturally tailored education, community-based engagement, communication tools, reminder systems, or other approaches that measurably improve screening adherence. Second, the FOA seeks development of tools and systems that increase patient access to eye exams for detecting DR. This is aimed at practical innovations that reduce barriers such as geography, cost, time, lack of specialists, or limited clinic capacity. The wording "tools and systems" leaves room for technology-driven solutions (for example, improved ocular screening devices, teleophthalmology workflows, or clinic-integrated screening pathways) as well as operational systems that help patients actually get screened and connected to follow-up care.
The mechanism of support is the NIH SBIR grant program using the R43/R44 structure, which supports small businesses through staged research and development. Applicants can propose Phase I projects (typically early feasibility and proof-of-concept), Phase II projects (more advanced development, testing, and validation), or a Fast Track application that combines Phase I and Phase II into a single submission for an accelerated path when the project is ready for that approach. This structure is intended to help small companies move from an early prototype or pilot outreach model into a refined, validated product or program with a clearer path to real-world adoption and commercialization.
Funding for this announcement was estimated at 2,000,000 dollars for fiscal year 2009, with an anticipated 2 to 4 awards, indicating a relatively selective program designed to fund a small number of strong projects. Future year support is noted as dependent on annual appropriations, which is standard language meaning continued funding levels are not guaranteed beyond the stated estimate. The listed award ceiling is 100,000 dollars, which signals that at least some part of the program was oriented toward smaller, early-stage awards, consistent with SBIR Phase I style budgets, though actual amounts and allowable budgets can depend on NIH SBIR guidelines and the specific phase being applied for.
Eligibility is limited to small business concerns, consistent with SBIR requirements. The opportunity falls under the health activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.867 (Vision Research). There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which generally lowers the barrier for smaller companies that may not have significant non-federal funds to contribute. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary, uses the grant funding instrument type, and is administered by NIH.
Key administrative details show it was posted on December 9, 2008, with an original and current closing date of December 23, 2009, and an archive date of January 23, 2010. The funding opportunity number is RFA-EY-09-001. For additional details, NIH provided a link to the full announcement on the NIH Grants Guide, and they listed contact support through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster for access or linking issues. Overall, the FOA is best understood as an SBIR-focused push to stimulate commercially viable, implementable outreach and screening innovations that can increase diabetic retinopathy detection rates and ultimately reduce preventable vision loss.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Innovative Patient Outreach Programs and Ocular Screening Technologies to Improve Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy (SBIR R43/R44)."
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity offered through the NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is RFA-EY-09-001.
What problem is this FOA trying to solve?
The FOA is focused on improving detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) by addressing two persistent gaps: (1) low public awareness of the vision-threatening consequences of diabetes, and (2) limited access to timely eye examinations. DR is described as a leading cause of preventable blindness, and many people with diabetes do not receive recommended eye screenings.
What is the overall purpose of the FOA?
The purpose is explicitly two-pronged: to support (1) educational and patient outreach programs that increase awareness and motivate screening, and (2) tools and systems that increase access to eye exams for detecting DR.
What types of projects does the FOA want under the patient outreach and education area?
The FOA seeks educational and patient outreach programs that increase awareness of the blinding consequences of diabetes and change patient knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors around routine eye care. Examples mentioned include culturally tailored education, community-based engagement, communication tools, reminder systems, and other approaches that measurably improve screening adherence, especially encouraging screening before symptoms appear.
What types of projects does the FOA want under the access and screening area?
The FOA seeks development of tools and systems that increase patient access to eye exams for detecting DR, with an emphasis on practical innovations that reduce barriers like geography, cost, time, lack of specialists, or limited clinic capacity. The FOA language allows for technology-driven solutions (such as ocular screening devices, teleophthalmology workflows, or clinic-integrated screening pathways) as well as operational systems that help patients get screened and connected to follow-up care.
Is the FOA focused only on technology, or can it include non-technology approaches?
It includes both. The FOA describes technology-driven possibilities (for example, improved screening devices and teleophthalmology workflows) and also supports outreach programs and operational systems intended to change behavior and improve real-world access.
Who is the target population for the improvements supported by this FOA?
The FOA highlights people with diabetes who are not receiving recommended eye screenings, with special attention to populations that are currently under-screened.
What grant mechanism is being used?
The opportunity uses the NIH SBIR R43/R44 structure, which supports small businesses through staged research and development.
What project phases can applicants propose?
Applicants can propose Phase I (early feasibility and proof-of-concept), Phase II (more advanced development, testing, and validation), or a Fast Track application that combines Phase I and Phase II into a single submission for an accelerated path when the project is ready for that approach.
What is the purpose of using the Phase I / Phase II / Fast Track structure?
The structure is intended to help small companies move from an early prototype or pilot outreach model into a refined, validated product or program with a clearer path to real-world adoption and commercialization.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to small business concerns, consistent with SBIR requirements.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What is the estimated total funding available for this announcement?
The announcement estimates $2,000,000 in funding for fiscal year 2009.
How many awards are anticipated?
The FOA anticipates making 2 to 4 awards.
Does the FOA mention an award ceiling?
Yes. The listed award ceiling is $100,000, which is described as consistent with smaller, early-stage SBIR-style budgets, though actual amounts may depend on NIH SBIR guidelines and the phase being applied for.
Is funding in future years guaranteed?
No. The FOA notes that future year support is dependent on annual appropriations, meaning continued funding levels are not guaranteed beyond the stated estimate.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
How is the opportunity categorized?
It is categorized as discretionary and falls under the health activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.867 (Vision Research).
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on December 9, 2008.
What is the closing date?
The original and current closing date listed is December 23, 2009.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date is January 23, 2010.
Where can applicants find the full announcement?
NIH provided a link to the full announcement on the NIH Grants Guide.
Who is listed for support if there are access or linking issues?
NIH lists contact support through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster for access or linking issues.
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